Double the fun for North

By Scott Moore
The Norman Transcript

May 09, 2008 12:52 am

— Sam Geurkink was having a good season. Playing No. 2 singles for Norman North, he was one of the best. Yet even unbeaten, he was moved to the No. 2 doubles team, pairing up with Garret Gann.
Not that he minded.
“I thought we had a pretty good shot at winning a state title at No. 2 doubles,” Geurkink said. “Plus it was Garret’s senior year and I wanted a chance to play with him, maybe get him a championship.”
The Timberwolves will find out where they stand today at the Class 5A state tournament at Will Rogers Tennis Center in Oklahoma City. The championship round is Saturday.
The Timberwolves will be one of the better teams and are shooting for a top five finish.
“I like our chances of doing well,” North coach Kelly Stout said. “We’re definitely near the front of the pack on this side of the state.”
Standing in North’s way are perennial powers Jenks and Edmond Memorial. The Timberwolves beat the Bulldogs a month ago for the Mid-State Conference championship.
“We’re looking for at least a top-10 finish,” Gann said. “We have big expectations.”
Especially in doubles. Geurkink and Gann probably have the best shot of winning a title. The duo is 29-3, losing only to Edmond Memorial twice and to Edmond North once.
“I think if we don’t win state, that would be considered a disappointment,” Geurkink said. “That’s just because we’ve played pretty well this year.”
North’s strength is its doubles teams. North’s No. 1 doubles team of Kevin Ball and Cameron Johnson also have championship thoughts. Just like Gann and Guerkink, they’re coming off a regional crown.
“I guess it’s my doubles teams that are making the news,” Stout said. “I’m really proud of the way they have played this year. I think Kevin and Cameron have won seven or eight (titles) this year. Our No. 2 team has performed extremely well this year. Our No. 2 team could be playing No. 1 doubles. That’s how good they are.”
Geurkink, Boyd and Johnson have been playing together since elementary school.
“They just all get along so well,” Stout said. “I could probably switch them up and make different teams and they would probably do just as well.”
As far as singles goes, Chris Marrs is No. 1 and Nick Harderson No. 2. Both are expected to score points.
“I think I might be most proud of my singles kids,” Stout said. “They’ve stepped up and played well. We’ve won nine tournaments this year and we’ve won a lot of doubles titles but without points from those singles guys, we wouldn’t have all those trophies.”
If any of the T-Wolves can add to the trophy collection Saturday, they’ll be very happy, indeed.
“We’re playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Geurkink said. “Last year, I didn’t do very well at state, so I’m looking forward to redeeming myself. As a team, we’ve all been looking forward to this all year.”
Scott Moore
366-3535
sports@normantranscript.com